Highlights Summer 2021

Student Highlights

BUS 422 Auditing class students raised $4,250 for their bi-annual class grant. The grant is awarded every two years to an LCMS Nebraska District elementary, middle, or high school based on the merits of applications received. The class selected a winner from twelve applicants. This year's winner was Lincoln Lutheran, which will use the grant to make significant upgrades to its business department education and technology resources. An event was held on November 19th to commemorate the occasion and celebrate with the grant recipient.

BUS 422 Auditing class students conducted a Benchmark Ratio Analysis: A Learning Project for Not-For-Profit Auditing during the fall semester. Their work culminated in a paper titled, "Closure of Concordia Portland Further Analyzed." The paper was submitted to The Sower and included quotes and research from Jacob Glines, Morgan James, Jack Kitson, Nicholas Little, Thomas Otte, Cally Rogers, Carter Thorman and Amos Utech.

EDUC 330 early childhood students created videos to demonstrate dramatic play spaces that could be set up at home using materials found at home. These playful dramatic play experiences supported social and emotional development, science, social studies, and math exploration and literacy development. These tips were shared with alumni and current educators through the Concordia website, Concordia Education Facebook page and Dr. O Wants to Know Facebook page.

EDUC 430 families, schools and communities students created a series of parenting tips by sending home a Message in a Backpack. The topics include Worshipping with your Child, Discipline and Guidance, Learning at Home and Outdoor Play and have been developed for families of children ages birth through eight.

EDUC 452 early childhood program administration students planned week long activities to celebrate the Week of the Young Child. Their posters were shared with the Nebraska Association of the Education of Young Children, alumni and current educators through the Concordia Nebraska Education Facebook page and Dr. O Wants to Know Facebook page.  

In the fall of 2020, the A Cappella Choir released three videos on social media that in total received over half a million views and thousands of shares. Concordia’s choir was one of the first college choirs nationwide to release videos during the pandemic with singers masked and social distanced. Many commented that they were happy to see that music could be performed safely.

Anna Headlee was accepted into the master’s program in Urban, Community, and Regional Planning at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She currently serves as an intern in the State of Nebraska Office of Rural Health.

Aaron Jackson, a church music student, is building a new organ for Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church.

Thomas Johnson, senior music education and music composition student won the Richard Hillert Award in Student Composition from the Center for Church Music at Concordia University Chicago.

Nathan Patron, biology major, was accepted to Optometry School at the Oklahoma College of Optometry at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Ann Spilker was accepted into the Master of Applied Science program at the School of Natural Resources University of Nebraska-Lincoln program in Environmental Education.

Kassidy Grosserode, a senior from Neligh, Nebraska, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art and a Bachelor of Science degree in K-12 Art Education, had her work this past spring accepted to the juried exhibition “Size Matters,” hosted by the Fayetteville Cumberland County Arts Council in North Carolina. Her photography was also represented in the Colorado Photographic Art Center show titled, “Who are you?” held in Denver, Colorado. In Spring 2020, she received the Leo Sieck Endowment and the Marxhausen Endowment from the Department of Art. In Fall 2020, she was granted a CASA internship, and in Spring 2021, became a CASA volunteer in addition to being granted a Bemis internship.

Emily Boyer was accepted to nursing program at Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she will attend in the fall.

Nathan Pennington, a sophomore majoring in church music, recently won first place in the Student Organ Composition Competition organized by the Lincoln Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Aaron Jackson and Charlotte Lines were elected in membership of Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor society.

Lauren Ada (2024) was chosen for a competitive internship with Kansas Wildlife Rehabilitation.

Martha Brauning, a senior environmental science and biology major, was accepted to a research assistantship at the University of Nebraska-Kearney with Paul Burger to complete her master of science in biology and work on GIS research regarding rural mobile healthcare.

Abby Lyons (2021) accepted a research assistantship to pursue her master’s degree in biology at the University of Central Missouri. She will start her fully funded research right after graduation on the threatened Harbison’s dun skipper conservation plan in Southern California.

Grace Barry, Maggie Cleveland, Monica Dale, Jesse Garcia, Chase Hammons, Erica Heinzerling, Jenessa Jarvis, Grant Lammers, Ryan Moormeier, Jacob Schielke, Jetta Tegeler and Dresden Wilson were inducted in to Alpha Phi Sigma, the only national criminal justice honor society during the Spring 2021 semester.

Marlee Hubach, Ruth Moon, Grace O'Neal, Kenny Paetow, and Ben Toenjes worked with Dr. Vicki Anderson with English learners in Montreal through Ascension Lutheran Church (connected with LCMS Office of Short-Term Missions).

Mackenzie Ferrel, Nicholle Harstad, Tannor Tobler, Michela Tongish, and Theresa Tvrdy worked with Dr. Anderson with English learners in Parrita, Costa Rica as part of the Lighthouse Parrita Ministry (headed by alums Ethan and Amanda Hutton and Zachary Barz, under the auspices of Mission of Christ Network).

Adrianna Shaw was selected to serve with English-teaching organization ELIC in North Africa for 2021-22. 

Hope Bassett, Jeana Brase, Zachary Christensen, Morgan De Jong, Gabrielle Diamond, Ashley Gerczynski, Hhana Haro, Morgan James, Max Johnston, Sydni Kroll, Jonah Lange, Mady Payne, Michaela Regier, Henry Reimer, Cally Rogers, Kalina Schoenfeld, Hayley Steinbauer, Allysia Thayer, Brandon Timoney and Joao Pedro Verissimo participated in the annual Collegiate Leadership Competition (CLC). These students were split into three teams and competed with approximately 40 other universities in leadership development for the digital age. The CLC, a nonprofit founded in 2015, creates a digital practice field where students can actively apply what they learn via CLC’s global virtual competition. CLC makes leadership a tangible, high-impact learning experience for future leaders.

Kyle Wilshusen (2021) was chosen previously for internships with the Aquarium Birds department at the Henry Doorly Zoo and with large cats like lions and tigers at Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary in Tyler, TX.

Rachel Battershell, Zachary Bennetts, Sydney Clark, Hannah Fitzsimmons, Jordyn Hilyard, Gabrielle Luehr, Erin Mapson, and Mikeila Martinez were inducted into the Health and Human Performance honor society, Phi Epsilon Kappa. Returning members include: Jennika Chapman, Taylor Cockerill, Rebecca Higgins, Tucker Platt, Hayley Platt, and Kaitlyn Radebaugh.

Jacob Garrison qualified to the American Forensics Association National Speech Tournament all four years for the Concordia Speech Team.

Malia Ebel broke to final rounds in all four of her events (Impromptu, Extemporaneous, Informative and After Dinner Speaking) at this year’s 2021 Nebraska Intercollegiate Forensics State Tournament.

Hayley Denner, a junior art education major from Diller, Neb., participated in the CIVA Student Virtual Exhibition 2021.

Sarah Armbrust, a junior B.F.A. studio art major from St. Louis, Mo., created a series of 16 gothic-style drawings for a Christian allegory book.

Chase Berry, a sophomore studio art major from Seward, Neb., is a two-time All-American pole vaulter who placed sixth at the 2021 NAIA Indoor National Meet.

Sonja Brandt, a senior studio art and biology major from Knob Noster, Mo., had her artwork and photographs published in the literary journal Potpourri. In 2019, she completed an internship with the Missouri Department of Conservation, where she collaborated with biologists to create illustrations for a bat conservation conference. Her work has also been published in the Nebraska Bird Review, and in 2019 she earned runner up in the Missouri State Parks Photo Contest. 

Hannah Mulligan, a junior art education major from Hastings, Neb., participated in an art exhibit at a bed and breakfast in York in October 2020. In September 2020, she served as an art class instructor at Concordia. She participated in Art in the Park in Hastings in August 2020, in March 2020 she participated in an art show at Neutral Grounds in Seward and hosted an artist event in February 2020. As a track athlete, she earned GPAC All-Conference honors in the 60-meter dash 2019-21.

Sam Sisco, a senior graphic design major from David City, Neb., earned the 2020 Lillich Graphic Design Award from the Department of Art.

Elisa Kurth, a junior graphic design major from Stromsburg, Neb., is working as a student designer for Concordia’s marketing and communications department. She is also working on two commissions for McLean Beef in York, opening in June. In the summer of 2020, she completed an internship with Enlightened Youth Corps, a Florida-based nonprofit that works to help youth with their mental health, where she illustrated and designed social media posts for the organization’s Instagram.

Patrick Schneeberger, a senior graphic design major from Raymore, Mo., has been working as an intern at Sports Express in Seward.

Faculty and Staff Highlights

Dr. Lisa Ashby, professor of English, served as the co-lead of the Mass Care Unit of the State of Nebraska Emergency Operations Center, which oversees food, water, and shelter for state emergencies. In this role, she co-led the Nebraska Food Security Task Force and worked closely with the CEOs of Food Bank for the Heartland, Food Bank of Lincoln, the Center for People in Need and the Nebraska National Guard in ensuring emergency food supplies were provided without shortfalls or interruption in the state. She also served on the Nebraska Homeless System Response Team for COVID-19, which monitored safety plans and implementation statewide.

Dr. Lisa Ashby was a presenter at the Great Plains Disaster Behavioral Health Virtual Conference in July 2020, speaking on the role of behavioral health, spiritual care, and voluntary organizations in long-term flood recovery. The DBH Conference is sponsored by the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center.

Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo, professor of music, published two piano settings (beginner and intermediate level) of Matins and Divine Service 3, and 10 hymns for piano – each with four graded settings from beginner w/teacher duet to late intermediate for the St. Paul’s Conservatory in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo composed a piano hymn prelude on the hymn “Lobt Gott den Herren, ihr” for the Concordia Publishing House Piano prelude collection.

Devin Smith, director of athletics, was named NAIA Athletic Director of the Year for 2020-21 by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

Dr. Jerrald Pfabe, archivist and professor emeritus, had two articles recently accepted to publication in Nebraska History. Divorce in Seward County 1869-1906 and 1919-1948: A Comparative Study, will be published in the Winter 2021 issue; and Crime in Seward County 1869-1908 and 1919-1948 will be published in the Spring 2022 issue.

James Bockelman, professor of art, was one of several artists in Nebraska invited to talk about his studio and work practice in response to the pandemic and closure of museums throughout the nation as part of the Museum of Nebraska Art’s online series “Curated Conversations.”

James Bockelman had one of his drawings titled, Fortified: from the Mapped Black Series, selected for the cover of a new book authored by Catherine Keller, “Facing Apocalypse: Climate, Democracy, and Other Last Chances” to be published by Orbis Books this spring.

James Bockelman’s painting Medievalist was selected for the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art 2020 auction held in Omaha, Nebraska.

James Bockelman had drawings published in a catalogue titled, “The Touch of Density” as part of the exhibition series “The Body of Drawing.”

Dr. Kurt von Kampen, professor of music and music department chair, was asked to lead a choral clinic at Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball Texas in March. The choirs at Concordia Tomball have consistently received superior ratings in the state of Texas, under the direction of Michael Palomaki, a 2011 Concordia graduate.

Dr. Kurt von Kampen, Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, professor of music, Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo, professor of music, Debbie Brutlag, music administrative assistant and Charlotte Lines ’21, served on the building design committee for the new music building. Even during the pandemic, the planning moved forward via countless zoom meetings.

Dr. Kristen Nugent advanced in rank from assistant professor of education to associate professor of education during the 2020-21 academic year.

Dr. Kevin Miller, adjunct professor of education, gave a presentation at the 2021 Council for Exceptional Children Convention. He also served as a peer reviewer for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Peer Review Committee.

Rebekah Freed, director of student development, participated in 2019 as a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, that was awarded a Grammy on March 14, 2021 for Best Choral Performance for “The Passion of Yeshua,” composed by Richard Danielpour.

Dr. Annette Anschutz, associate professor of education and early childhood education program director, presented a virtual session of Faith-Based Art in Early Childhood to Early Childhood Directors in the Pacific Southwest District, LCMS in February 2021, to District Early Childhood Consultants at the Lutheran School Administrators Conference in March 2021, and to Nebraska District LCMS early childhood educators in April 2021.

Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, professor of music, published two new collections of hymn tune settings for organ with Concordia Publishing House: A Thousand Voices, volume 5, and Firm Foundation: Organ settings of shape-note hymn tunes. His setting of "Isaiah, Mighty Seer" was included in CPH's Piano Hymn Tune Prelude Series. Two of his hymn tunes ("Water, Blood, and Spirit Crying" and "Though All Our Life Is But A Scroll") were selected to be included in Christian Worship, the new hymnal of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod which will be released Advent 2021. He was also commissioned by the WELS to compose settings of 16 hymns for their new hymnal project and a hymn concertato on "Delay Not, Delay Not" which was published by Northwestern Publishing House. Blersch's four-movement setting of the Magnificat for chorus, piano, and strings was video recorded by Concordia's Cantamus Women's Choir and released during Advent 2020.

Dr. Jeffrey Blersch had four new books and pieces released by Concordia Publishing House in May 2020: “Triumphant Gladness: Five Organ Preludes on Easter Hymns,” “Introductions, Harmonizations, Accompaniments, Interpretations, volume 9,” “O Savior of Our Fallen Race” and “Welcome (SATB, keyboard).” In addition, he was commissioned to compose choral and organ settings of “What Hope, An Eden Prophesied” to be included in the “Advent 2020 Preaching Resources,” setting of “May God Bestow on Us His Grace” for “Proclaim: Organ Settings of Hymns of the Day” and settings of “How Majestic Is Your Name” and “Isaiah, Mighty Seer” for the “Piano Hymn Prelude Library.” Finally, four of his tunes were included in the new hymnal “One and All Rejoice,” released in June: “Ride On, Ride On in Majesty,” “O Triune God, What Love You Show,” “Though All Our Life is Like A Scroll” and “A Blessed Feast.”

Dr. Vick Anderson and Dr. Amanda Geidel served as judges in the lesson planning and presentation competition held by the Nebraska chapter of Educator’s Rising in March, evaluating and interviewing current high school students who aim to become teachers.

Dr. Beth Pester, associate professor of education, presented for the Missouri District Lutheran Family Life Ministry Conference. Pester presented on Young Adolescent Development. The conference was held virtually this year.

Dr. Beth Pester presented for the Missouri District Lutheran Teachers Conference. Pester presented on Young Adolescent Development, and on the importance of Emotional Intelligence. The conference was held virtually this year.

Dr. Beth Pester served on the accreditation and evaluation teams for Lutheran High School Northeast in Norfolk, Nebraska and Parkview Christian School in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Accreditation teams are responsible for reviewing and evaluating a school’s short-term and long-term improvement goals, providing feedback for school improvement, and recommending schools for accreditation approval.

Dr. Erica Lamm was named to the editorial board of the International Journal of Listening.

Dr. Gabriel Haley, associate professor of English, completed an article, “Petrarch’s Secularized Contemplation,” and had it accepted for publication in a forthcoming issue of Essays in Medieval Studies.

Dr. Gabriel Haley was invited to be a speaker at a capital campaign kickoff banquet for Concordia Academy in Wichita, Kansas, in April 2021.

Dr. Keith Kerschen served as an English conversation partner with a Romanian pastor through the LCMS Short Term Mission Office from September 2020 to October 2020.

Dr. Keith Kerschen was lead author on conference proceedings accepted into publication for the School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA) Conventional Proceedings on October 9th, 2020. The Proceedings were titled, “The Impact of a Summer Mathematics Academy on Early Number: A Two-Year Case Study.” 

Dr. Nolan Harms, associate professor of health and human performance, along with wife Amy, wrote the Continuing Education Exam, and corresponding Learning Objectives for the new 2nd edition of High-Performance Training for Sports released in Spring 2021 by Human Kinetics Publishing. The text presents the latest and most effective philosophies, protocols, and programs for developing today’s athletes. High-Performance Training for Sports features contributions from global leaders in athletic performance training, coaching, and rehabilitation. Experts share the innovative knowledge and techniques they’ve used with Olympians as well as top athletes and teams from the NBA, NFL, MLB, English Premier League, Tour de France, and International Rugby.

James Bockelman, professor of art, Seth Boggs, associate professor of art, Justin Groth, assistant professor of art, Aaron Nix, assistant professor of art, and Don Robson, professor of art, each presented recent artwork in the Marxhausen Gallery of Art as part of the Faculty Show that ran from February 14-March 25.

The Aurora Coop video, “Know Your Roots,” produced by redthread advertising and starring Aaron Nix won three 2021 Nebraska American Advertising Awards.

Dr. Shanna Opfer, director of elementary education, successfully defended her dissertation titled “Pedagogical, Attitudinal, and Environmental Influences on Student-Center Technology Practices of Elementary Teachers” and earned her Ph.D. in Education from Walden University in August 2020.

Dr. Lorinda Sankey, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, is completing her two-year term as a member of the Executive Committee to Nebraska Council on Teacher Education (NCTE) and Chair of Standing Committee. NCTE is an advisory body to the Nebraska State Board of Education.

Dr. Ken Sankey and Dr. Lorinda Sankey presented two sessions titled, “I’ve got data, now what? Using data to inform instructional decisions” at the Kansas District LCMS Educator Conference (online), Oct. 12, 2020.

Dr. Lorinda Sankey presented “A Genesis model for Lutheran learning environments,” at the Kansas District LCMS Educator Conference (online) Oct. 13, 2020.

Dylan Teut, director of the Plum Creek Literacy Festival, was awarded the Reading Spotlight Award through Read Aloud Nebraska organization. The award was given to Dylan for his work providing resources and innovative ideas for literacy instruction and access to educators and librarians during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dylan Teut served as a consultant for the Language Arts Department of the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) in the month of August. Through video calls and listening sessions, Dylan provided The New Teacher Project (TNTP) with feedback, support, and ideas for year two of the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act (NRIA) implementation. The information gathered by TNTP will be shared with the NDE Language Arts Department, who will make recommendations to the state legislature for the second year of the NRIA.

Dylan Teut completed the requirements for a degree and was awarded a Master of Philosophy in Education from Walden University. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate for the Ph.D. in Education: Reading, Literacy Instruction and Assessment program at Walden, has defended his proposal, and will soon defend his dissertation.

Dylan Teut had two peer-reviewed panels accepted for the National Council of Teachers of English in Denver, Colorado in November 2020, which has now been cancelled due to COVID-19. The sessions were: “The Bridge of Stories, The Flow of the Classroom” and “My Song, My Story, My Light; Our Legacy."

Dr. Vicki Anderson, associate professor of education, worked with and supervised two teams of students in the Spring 2021 semester as they developed curriculum and taught ESL online with two different mission organizations.

Dr. Joseph Herl prepared an English-language website for the Internationale Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Hymnologie.

Dr. Joseph Herl had his biographical entry, written by Benjamin Kolodziej, added to the Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology, published by Canterbury Press in Norwich, United Kingdom.

Kurth Brashear, vice president for institutional advancement, completed his term as president of the Rotary Club of Seward in June 2020.

Ryan Burger, adjunct professor in the business department, was elected as Chairman of the Nebraska Society of CPAs.

Jennifer Furr, senior director of alumni & university relations, serves as a Commissioner for the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities’ Alumni Affairs Directors Group.

Bryan Moore, professor of communication and theatre arts and director of theatre, was recently named one of two winners of the 2020 National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Affiliate Intellectual Freedom Awards, after being nominated by the Nebraska English Language Arts Council (NELAC). 

Bryan Moore has begun his two-year term as President of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA), an international organization serving theatre members in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and beyond.

Dr. Ben Stellwagen led a sectional on “Mission-Minded, Data-Backed Decisions” for the LCMS Missouri District Professional Church Workers’ Conference in October.

Scott Seevers, senior director of development & engagement, has been appointed to the City of Seward’s Planning Commission.